Lightcliffe Academy
Stoney Lane, Lightcliffe, Halifax, HX3 8TLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Lightcliffe Academy is a secondary school in Halifax for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 112 schools in Calderdale. It ranks 5th of 6 secondary schools in Halifax. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in September 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 September 2024, report published 4 December 2024
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 September 2024
The school shares a unified vision to transform it into one that the entire community can take pride in. This school is welcoming of, and highly ambitious for, all pupils, irrespective of their background or ability. That vision is increasingly being realised. Staff are proud to work at the school. They are excited and empowered by the changes that the school has brought about. Older pupils recognise the positive differences in their experiences at school. They speak of the school's welcoming atmosphere which enables pupils to be themselves. Pupils benefit from a well-considered and ambitious quality of education. They respond well to the school's high expectations for their learning. Most pupils achieve well. Pupils are prepared for their next steps. Most lessons are calm so that pupils are able to concentrate on their learning. Pupils feel safe at school. They are confident to report concerns to a trusted adult. There is a real commitment to develop pupils' readiness for life beyond school. The 'SHARED' character curriculum threads through every part of the school's work. 'Student leaders' are proud of the impact that they have in making the school and the wider community better for everyone. Sustainability leaders enjoy the partnership they have with a local university to work on a net-zero project.
What the school should improve
- Some staff do not consistently ensure that pupils fully engage in learning. This means that some pupils do not benefit from the improvements that have been made to the curriculum. The school should ensure that staff consistently challenge pupils to take an active part in learning.
- Some staff do not choose the most appropriate activity to achieve the ambitious aims of the curriculum. As a result, some pupils do not build on their knowledge as well as they could. The school should ensure that teaching practices support all pupils in learning the curriculum so that they achieve as well as they could.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
175 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
788 pupils on roll, with places for 1,350
Schools near Lightcliffe Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighouse High School | 0.7 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 40.0 |
| Hipperholme Grammar School | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 52.0 |
| Appleton Academy | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 35.1 |
| Rastrick High School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 49.9 |
| Whitcliffe Mount, A Share Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 42.7 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- ABBEY MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Joanne Hackett
- Phone
- 01422201028
- Address
- Stoney Lane, Lightcliffe, Halifax, HX3 8TL
- Local authority
- Calderdale
- URN
- 137036
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.